Once upon in the Dolomites… COLUMN BY MARTHA AND GÜREL SAHIN
Martha and Gürel Sahin are always looking for the perfect shot and light – and what better time than dawn’s golden hour? And in Val
The Cir summit at sunrise: now that is a sight to behold. If
tisei. Oh, without any snowshoes. Surely an experience I
you set off when it is still dark and time things just right,
will treasure forever.
you can enjoy such a view. Sitting up here when the sun
I visit at least once a month, together with my wife, and
crests the horizon and touches your face is simply mes-
we obviously come to shoot pictures or go on hikes. This
merising. Every time I am in the valley and look up to the
is where the lion’s share of my outdoor and lifestyle shoot-
Cir, that moment comes rushing back – and from down be-
ings take place. What can I say? We love this place, its land-
low the mountain looks even more majestic as its summit
scape, the food, the people. Being able to work here counts
looks even taller, narrower, and sharper.
as one of the biggest advantages of our professions. And we
I was brought up in a small town in Germany, son to a
are always aware of that.
family of Turkish seasonal workers, and travelled all over
My favourite photo and hiking spots in Val Gardena:
the world. However, the Dolomites influenced my career
The Vallunga is a charming place to be both during winter
as a photographer. I owe them a debt of gratitude, be-
and summer. Maybe it is because it reminds me a bit of the
cause they contributed in large part to me living out my
Yosemite Valley in California. Stevia was also a very pleas-
dream right now. The combination of lush green mead-
ant surprise as it does not look like much from down below,
ows, crystal-clear aquamarine lakes, breathtaking forests
but oh how do the tables turn when you reach its summit:
and mesmerising rocky formations make the Dolomites a
majestic, vast, and immovable. I heartily recommend the Cir
truly unique place. This mountainous region exemplifies
Summit morning hike. And last but not least: the Seceda! It
the different types of light or seasons which make adven-
is simply stunning whatever the light, weather, or season: it
ture and landscape photography truly come to life in a
is an absolute must whenever you visit the area.
variety of different ways. My pictures of the Dolomites
During a presentation on photography held last year in Val
ensured I became established in the industry as a ‘young’
Gardena, we were asked if we could see ourselves collabo-
photographer and lend themselves well to social media
rating with the 360° Gherdëina Magazine. I could not wait to
posts. My first encounter with Val Gardena was during
get started and felt honoured. I did not have to think about
carantcater
Gardena, to boot.
the winter of 2015. I recall it was an extremely dry cold
it: my answer was a resounding ‘yes’! I was often ridiculed at
January evening, and I was alone on the Seceda. Now,
the start of my photography career, yet today I can proud-
these were my first outings to photograph snow-covered
ly say I work with important associations and companies.
44
mountains – I was raring to go. After a successful sunset
Thank you, DOLOMITES Val Gardena, for this great opportu-
shooting, I then ran all the 11 km down the slope to Or-
nity to share my thoughts and creativity with other people.
